5 ways to Spot Phone Scams (IRS, UTILITY, Debt Collector)!

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I am not trying to scare anyone, but it’s that time of year again when the crazy scammers start calling to get money out of you. I wanted to warn y’all about the Phone Scams that have gone on for years! People get your phone number, call you and claim to be from the IRS, your utility company, debt collectors, you name it they will probably call with some type of scam this time of year! They will tell you that you owe several thousands of dollars! It’s enough to scare you because they sound legit! Below are ways to Spot a Phone Scam where it be from the Utility company, IRS, Debt Collector, etc! Read how to handle fake debt collectors!

You really need to stop and think about this though, your utility company will call you when your bill is late, however it is a pre recorded message! The IRS will send you a letter in the mail telling you you are being audited or you owe this amount or you didn’t send in the correct forms for your taxes, etc. They won’t call you first! Below are 5 Easy ways to spot a scam.

Here are some safety tips to avoid ALL phone scams:

1.) Never send cash, money orders or give out personal information such as credit card numbers and expiration dates, bank account numbers, dates of birth, or social security numbers to unfamiliar companies or unknown persons.

2.) Make a phone call to verify the information.

3.) Before you send money, ask yourself a simple question. “What guarantee do I have that this solicitor will use my money in the manner we agreed upon?”

4.) Be skeptical – Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to make a snap decision.

5.) If someone comes to your home claiming to be with a utility company, ask for identification. Do not let the person in your home. Utility workers do not accept any form of payment.

Remember, if something doesn’t seem right, it’s not right.

If you are a victim of a fraud, report it to the local law enforcement agency.

If you have a way of blocking numbers on your phone, or through your phone company, please block these numbers (703-272-4699,213-4570-581, 213-457-0535 and 678-365-0478, 703-662-8334) these are the known scam phone numbers! If you have a cell phone you can download any call blocker app to block the number. I use Clever Dialer, it is a free download on google play. I can block numbers and it even works as a caller ID!

Call you to demand immediate payment. We will not call about taxes you owe without first mailing you a bill.

Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the chance to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.

Require you to use a certain payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.

Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement to have you arrested for not paying.

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, here’s what to do:

If you know you owe taxes or think you might owe, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to talk about payment options. You also may be able to set up a payment plan online at IRS.gov.

If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to believe that you do, report the incident to TIGTA at 1.800.366.4484 or at www.tigta.gov.

If phone scammers target you, also contact the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov. Use their “FTC Complaint Assistant” to report the scam. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments of your complaint.

Also remember, the IRS does not use unsolicited email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issues.

I hope this helps prevent the scammers from getting money out of you!

If you have any other tips or phone numbers, please leave them in the comments and I will update the post with credit given to you. Thanks!

I’m a Gramma to a beautiful, funny, smart little girl who was born in July of 2014. She’s the joy of my family and I’m so very proud to be a gramma (an alternate spelling for grandma)! I am a coffee, music, movie and outdoor lover! I love festivals and concerts. Spending time with my family is the best time in my life. I love my blogging job and all it has given me.

About Me

Hi! I'm Sandra, the Modern Day Gramma. I love sharing products, recipes and more with my readers, family and friends. My fantastic granddaughter was born in 2014 and she's the glue that brought both families closer and made us outdoor families. We love the outdoors, whether it's going to parks, concerts, events, etc.
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